Fewer Lake Students Quit School

Although More County Students Are Remaining In School, The Dropout Rate Is Still Higher Than The State Average.

December 16, 1992|By Rick Badie of The Sentinel Staff

TAVARES — Despite recording its lowest student dropout rate in three years, the Lake County school system still didn't better the overall state figures released Tuesday.

In Florida, the percentage of students in grades 9 through 12 who quit school dipped to 4.56 percent, or 22,964 pupils, the fourth consecutive statewide decrease.

While Lake figures set a district record, they fell short of the state's performance: Out of 5,100 Lake high school students, 5.78 percent, or 294 students, quit last year, a state education report showed Tuesday.

''I think the numbers speak for themselves. However, we are going to keep working,'' Jay Marshall, student services supervisor, said Tuesday. ''I am not surprised the overall state totals are lower because of a lot of new programs being put in place. Obviously, they are making a difference.''

Lake's performance in 1991-92 marked the third consecutive year that a smaller percentage of Lake students have quit school. District figures have dipped from 6.6 percent in 1989-90 to the current 5.78 percent. Likewise, the state rate has dropped from a high of 6.55 percent in 1989-90.

In July, dropout figures compiled by the district student services department showed that 5.2 percent, or 267 students, quit school. At the time, district officials expected state figures - though generally compiled with the same information - to be slightly different than what the local report showed.

''We are off by a few students, here or there,'' Marshall acknowledged Tuesday. ''We will never be completely accurate because data is entered from a number of places that is prone to errors - human errors. Our numbers tell us we are doing pretty good.''